River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-02-24
MAJOR HENDERsON'sN NIECE.

pleading, her comfortable little fortune
being a matter about which he was
supremacy Indifferent. Al the expira-
ton of the hour Maj. Henderson's de-
cision remained unchanged.
.'Save a thousand pounds as proof
of your attachment to my niece, and |
will give my consent to your marriage
with her. Under no other circumstance
will do So" This was the extent to
which the major would commit himself.
Save a thousand pounds indeed!
Why. million would be equally posi-
BILE to man of refined tastes with but
paltry two hundred a year or so be-
sides his pay.
Maude waylaid her lover outside the
library door Very pretty she looked
as she listened to dear Jacks angry
protestations, her cheeks flushed, and
her brown eyes filling with tears.
You viii be true to me, my darling?"
pleaded the impecunious Lieutenant, as
his arm stole around her waist and his
tawny mustache pressed her rosy lips.
True to him? Indeed and indeed she
would be.
You know, dearest, you will be 81
in fortnight's time and your own
mistress. My sweet one viii fly
with her poor loving Jack then. won't
she?'
..Yes''-rather obviously 1t was
hard to put aside the prospect of being
followed to the altar by bevy of
daintily-arrayed bridesmaids. although
she was deeply in love.
True. she would soon be of age, and
consequently her own mistress, but
what wonld that avail her if she were
miles away from her lover? And
such, indeed. seemed likely to be the
ase, for her uncle carried her of to
small village i'm North Wales the day
after Lieut.. MaplesOn had been told of
| his fate. OF course she left a note be-
hind for dearest jack telling him the
name of the village to which they were
going, and earnestly begging him TO do
something although she could think
of nothing practical to suggest.
The morning of her 2lst birthday
Maude came down to breakfast looking
fresh. and even little happy. She had
honestly tried to be miserable for a
whole fortnight, and had succeeded for
two days. With youth and health on
ones side it is almost impossible to be
thoroughly out of spirits for any length
of time. however much one may be
experiencing the truth of the proverb-
about ''true love-" etc.
The landlady's bright-looking daugh-
ter brought in the coffee and rolls
Mrs. Evans, opposite, has let her
| front rooms miss" she volunteered.
"A gentleman all by himself came and
took them last night.
| A gentleman. and alone! Maude's
| spirits rose. did you happen to hear
Mrs. Evans say what her new lodger
was like? | suppose" added naughty,
deceitful Maude, she is an elderly gen
| tleman. p
Yes. Miss. quite. He's a bit lame,
walks with a stick, and las long gray
beard. His names Mr.. Browne"
Maude's spirits fell again. At break
fast. however, she mentioned the new
arrival to her uncle.
find North Wales little dull. so he
listened rather readily. thinking that
there might perhaps be a prospect of
having some one with whom to smoke
a friendly pipe.
In the course of the morning. when
the uncle and niece were sitting in one
of the many beautiful glens in which
the neighborhood abounds, Maude saw
bent figure approaching, walking
with stick.
Il think. uncle, that must be Mr..
Browne, Mrs. Evans new lodger," she
said.
Her uncle looked up from his book"
''Out of health, / should say" was
Maj Henderson comment. He doesn't
look old enough to be so infirm."
When the stranger came up to them
hepaused, and inquired the way to the
Swallow Falls.
Maude started. That voicel Her
uncle. however, merely made
courteous reply. Evidently his sus-
piciOns were not aroused.
Excuse me, continued the stranger,
''but have | not The pleasure of address
ing one who il a neighbor for the time
being? | fancied | saw you come out of
Honeysuckle Cottage this morning with
your daughter
Yes. sir, YOU are right--at least my
niece and are staying opposite toyou."
Your neicePn and the stranger
politely raised his hat as he glanced at
Maude. MAY / inquire if you have
been making a long stay in the neigh
| borhood? 1t is the first time l have
visited North Wales, and j should be
glad to know of the principal spots of
interest in the immediate vicinity. My
health is so shattered that l cannot
undertake long excursions"
This is the commencement of our
third week. replied the Major. Like
yourself, we have chosen rather to en-
| Joy the scenery within walking dis
tances in preference to travelling about
by rail or coach. My niece has been a
little upset lately, so we came here to
| recruit her health.
Maude flushed up Indignantly. To
| speak of the cruel blow which had been
| dealt her as if it were mere nothing!
The young lady is looking so fresh
and charming that | think she must al
ready be on the high road to recovery"
| This with a stiff, old-fashioned bow to
| Maude. Il was about to say | trusted
| might derive as much benefit from the
change, only l fear that is too much to
expect. Age cannot hope to compete
/ with vouth."
with your permission, suggested
/ Mai Henderson, .'my niece and | will
| accompany you to the Falls. They are
within a quarter of an hours walk
from here; and can then give you
few points about the neighborhood as
we go along"
Mr.. Browne would only be too
pleased.
| Maude walked on by her uncle's side
experiencing mixture of JOY and
| alarm. She was so delighted to hear